Wizard x MHA Chapter 5

Izuku's days had settled into a grueling routine. Each morning, he would drag himself to school, his muscles aching and his eyes heavy with exhaustion. The rigorous training regimen Yuto had put him through left little time for rest, but Izuku was determined to push through.

During his classes, Izuku would find himself lost in thought, muttering under his breath as he contemplated ways to optimize his training. One day, his teacher had had enough.

"Midoriya!" the stern voice of his teacher cut through Izuku's musings. "If you're going to keep mumbling to yourself, at least do it quietly!"

Izuku's head snapped up, his eyes wide with surprise. Before he could respond, the teacher's hand came down, smacking him lightly on the back of the head.

"Pay attention in my class, young man," the teacher scolded. "Your constant daydreaming is disruptive to the rest of the students."

Izuku flushed with embarrassment, muttering a quick apology as he sank down in his seat. He knew his teacher was right – his mind had been consumed by thoughts of his training with Yuto, leaving little room for the lessons at hand.

As the day drew to a close, Izuku made his way home, his body aching with each step. When he arrived, he found his mother, Inko, waiting for him with a warm smile.

"Welcome home, Izuku," she greeted him, her voice filled with concern. "You look exhausted. How was your day?"

Izuku mustered a weary smile. "It was fine, Mom," he replied, not wanting to worry her. "Just a little tired from all the training."

Inko's brow furrowed with worry. "Training? Izuku, you need to take care of yourself. Come, let's get you something to eat."

Guiding her son to the kitchen, Inko set about preparing a healthy, hearty meal, tailored to Izuku's increased caloric needs. As she worked, she listened attentively as Izuku described his training with Yuto, his eyes shining with excitement despite his fatigue.

Inko nodded, her expression thoughtful. "Well, if Yuto-san is training you, then we'll need to make sure you're getting the proper nutrition to support it," she said, placing a steaming plate of food in front of Izuku.

Izuku's eyes widened at the sight of the delicious-looking meal, and he felt a surge of gratitude for his mother's unwavering support. "Thanks, Mom," he said, his voice soft. "I really appreciate you doing this for me."

Inko smiled warmly, placing a gentle hand on Izuku's shoulder. "Of course, dear. I'm here for you, no matter what. Now, eat up and let me know if you need anything else, okay?"

Izuku nodded, eagerly digging into his meal, his body and mind already feeling a little more refreshed.

Izuku and Yuto stroll through the bustling city streets, the sounds of traffic and chatter filling the air around them. Izuku glances up at his mentor, a quizzical expression on his face.

"Yuto-sensei, I thought we were going to be training today," he says, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment. "Why are we out here instead?"

Yuto turns to Izuku, a calm, measured expression on his face. "Today, we'll be patrolling the city," he explains. "As a mage, it's important to be vigilant and keep an eye out for any signs of Phantom activity."

Izuku nods, his brow furrowing slightly. "Phantoms... the creatures born from human despair, right?" he asks, recalling their previous conversations.

"That's correct," Yuto affirms. "Our job is to protect people from the Phantoms and prevent them from causing any more harm. By patrolling the streets, we can be on the lookout for any disturbances or signs of a Phantom's presence."

Izuku's eyes widen with understanding. "I see. So, we're not just training today, but actively searching for these Phantoms to stop them?"

Yuto replies, "Yes, that's exactly right. When a Phantom attacks, there is a high chance that a Gate, a person with latent magical potential, is nearby. We must protect the Gate at all costs, or else more Phantoms will be born, and the cycle of despair will continue."

Izuku's expression turns somber as he recalls the feelings of helplessness and despair he experienced when he was told he couldn't become a hero. "I don't want anyone else to have to go through that."

Izuku's brow furrowed. "So, how exactly are we going to find these Phantoms?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Yuto sighed, running a hand through his hair. "That's the most difficult part, Izuku. Phantoms have the ability to disguise themselves, making them virtually indistinguishable from ordinary humans. We can't simply point them out in a crowd."

Izuku's shoulders slumped slightly. "Then how are we supposed to stop them?"

"I have my Plamonsters scouring the city, using their enhanced senses to detect any signs of Phantom activity," Yuto explained, gesturing to the mechanical creature perched on his shoulder. "But it's not enough. We'll have to rely on vigilance and patience to catch them."

Izuku listened intently, his brow furrowed in concentration. "So, if we can't easily identify the Phantoms, what else can we do?" he asked, his voice tinged with frustration.

Yuto sighed, his expression somber. "Unfortunately, there's not much else we can do, at least not directly," he admitted. "Phantoms usually only reveal themselves when they've found a Gate."

Yuto's words hung in the air, a somber reminder of the challenges they faced. Izuku listened intently, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Fortunately, the Phantoms are wary of Pro Heroes," Yuto continued, his voice measured. "While most pro heroes could not defeat a Phantom, there are some exceptions, like All Might."

Izuku's eyes widened at the mention of the legendary hero. "All Might…" he still remembers what All Might told him. He shakes his head to forget that moment.

Yuto nodded. "Yes, his immense power and skill would make him a formidable opponent for the Phantoms. However, that also means the Phantoms are cautious about drawing the attention of Pro Heroes."

Yuto continues, "Although I don't know anymore since we both saw he was injured, and he is far from his prime." His expression grows pensive as he considers the limitations of even the mightiest heroes.

Izuku pondered Yuto's words, his mind racing with the implications. "So, the Phantoms have been operating in secret, away from the Pro Heroes?" he asked.

"Precisely," Yuto confirmed. "It does not help the Phantoms if they openly attack and Pro Heroes arrive. They would arrive like a swarm to protect the Gates. So, they've been careful to keep their activities hidden, making our job that much more challenging."

Izuku understood Yuto's explanation, and they both continued their patrol through the bustling city streets. Yuto's Plamonsters flew overhead, their sharp senses scanning the area for any signs of Phantom activity. Izuku remained vigilant, his eyes darting from one person to the next, searching for any subtle clues that might indicate a Phantom's presence. The weight of their mission settled heavily on his shoulders, but he was determined to play his part in protecting the innocent from the forces of despair.